Birmingham student reports ‘stranger danger’ incident

Families in the Birmingham School District are being warned about a possible “stranger danger” incident that occurred Tuesday afternoon.

A man and woman driving in a white Pontiac Grand Prix reportedly tried to lure a Greenfield Elementary School student over to their car, according to an email sent out Wednesday by the district.

The student ignored the suspicious pair and walked away in the other direction. The incident occurred near Marshall Street and 13 Mile Road, and the only description provided about the pair is they’re African American. A report was filed with the Birmingham Police.

School officials offer the following tips for parents to share with their children:

•Know your surroundings. Look and listen for the things and people around you that could pose a safety risk.

•Stay with a group whenever possible. There’s a lot of truth to the saying, “safety in numbers.”

•Remove distractions while walking to and from school, such as headphones or texting on a cell phone. Otherwise, you run the risk of not hearing a car or noticing a possible safety risk.

•Don’t go. If someone you don’t know or don’t trust asks you to go somewhere with them, say “no” and run in the opposite direction to tell an adult. Never give out your name, telephone number, address, or other personal information.

•Speak up. If you see or hear something you believe could be dangerous or has made you uncomfortable, report it to an adult immediately. School buildings statistically remain the safest place for children to be.